City Life

Rowing Nowhere Illustration Man On Home Rowing Machine In Blue Shirt

Essay: Rowing Nowhere

A guest essay by Hank Stephenson

Not all bad decisions are snap decisions. Sometimes I think for a very long time before I do something stupid. And when it came to the rowing machine, I had my reasons.

Restoration Soap & Bodycare displays soaps, bath and body products, plants and two signs that say 'refresh' and 'turn a bad day into a bath day.'

New Restoration Soap & Bodycare shop opens Friday

Founder Ruth Collins is determined to bring chemical-free bath and body products to the Madison community.

Restoration Soap & Bodycare's first brick-and-mortar location will open on January 14, bringing a host of cruelty-free and chemical-free products to market.

Ryan LoRee speaking on stage at McFarland High School

Former hate group members share messages of love, empathy and understanding

Nonprofit's guest speakers took the stage at McFarland High School on Jan. 6 to speak with high school students about combating domestic terrorism and hate.

Nonprofit's guest speakers took the stage at McFarland High School on Jan. 6 to speak with high school students about combating domestic terrorism and hate.

person holding dirt with a home in it

Longtime organic farmer is applying the regenerative agriculture concept to Dane County’s real estate market

When Mark Voss began thinking about a career shift and got his Realtor’s license in 2017, he quickly grew to love working with people to help them find just the right home — but he admits he struggled to align real estate’s consumptive nature with his sustainability background and values.

When Mark Voss began thinking about a career shift and got his Realtor’s license in 2017, he quickly grew to love working with people to help them find just the right home — but he admits he struggled to align real estate’s consumptive nature with his sustainability background and values.

Khalid Naseri sitting down

Torn Apart: Local efforts to help Afghan refugees are marked by both tears and triumph

It’s not just a single family that is navigating resettlement complexities on top of personal tragedy. The Catholic Multicultural Center estimates about 136 members of the Afghan community have resettled in the Madison area since 2010, and more will soon come.

It’s not just a single family that is navigating resettlement complexities on top of personal tragedy. The Catholic Multicultural Center estimates about 136 members of the Afghan community have resettled in the Madison area since 2010, and more will soon come.

little girl standing in the middle of a field and looking at stars in a field at Donald County Park

Best Madison Magazine photos of 2021

Over the past year, Madison Magazine has written stories about notable locals, delicious restaurants, talented artists and the day-to-day happenings impacting our community.

Over the past year, Madison Magazine has written stories about notable locals, delicious restaurants, talented artists and the day-to-day happenings impacting our community.

cover of the magazine along with the open front of the issue

Test your Madison knowledge with 'The Great 608 Quiz'

Madison Magazine's January cover story is an interactive quiz issue that you'll want to pick up to test your knowledge.

Madison Magazine's January cover story is an interactive quiz issue that you'll want to pick up to test your Madison knowledge.

Inside the Village Bar, pictured from left to right: Mark Kampa, Mark Venden, Shawn Quinn, Matt Fink and Tom Oberwetter.

Village Bar will reopen under new ownership

Doug Moe's Madison: The new owners are three longtime friends and regulars who hope to reopen the Village Bar — for the first time in more than 18 months — as early as Dec. 18.

The new owners are three longtime friends and regulars who hope to reopen the Village Bar for the first time in more than 18 months as early as Dec. 18.

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14 holiday donation resources to help you give back in Madison

As the weather gets colder and winter kicks off, here are some holiday donation resources that help members of the Madison community.

As the weather gets colder and winter kicks off, here are some holiday donation resources that help members of the Madison community.

exterior of Fair Oaks

Essay: Fair Oaks Diner

A guest essay by Christopher Chambers

This story begins with a rusting white sign on a brick building spelling the word EAT in red neon, and as I’m driving past, the gravitational pull of it causes me to parallel park my truck out front.

Jason fields standing in front of a building

Jason Fields' second act success

After a few bleak years threatened his career and life, a happier and healthier Jason Fields marks one year as MadREP’s CEO.

After a few bleak years threatened his career and life, a happier and healthier Jason Fields marks one year as MadREP’s CEO.

fully wintery scene of state street in winter

Madison history lesson: Winter 1936

A look back at a snowy scene on State Street, during a time cars could still drive down the iconic street.

A look back at a snowy scene on State Street, during a time cars could still drive down the iconic street.

Vegan Cookie Dough

6 things our editors love this December

Check out these items and businesses in the Madison area.

Vegan cookie dough, plantable greeting cards, nonalcoholic drinks, a sustainable shopping option and a locally illustrated book are featured in the December hot list.

Safe Communities program manager Tanya Kraege holds a candle at an event at Olbrich Park on Aug. 31, 2021, which is International Overdose Awareness Day.

#EndOverdose: advocates bring awareness to Dane County’s ongoing opioid overdose epidemic

Even as the crisis worsens in Dane County and overdose deaths across the country approached 100,000 in a 12-month period for the first time ever, some promising harm reduction initiatives are giving rise to something else: Hope.

Even as the crisis worsens in Dane County and overdose deaths across the country approached 100,000 in a 12-month period for the first time ever, some promising harm reduction initiatives are giving rise to something else: Hope.

Arcade games fill the room inside of Aftershock Classic Arcade, set to open on December 1.

Two gamers aim to keep arcade games alive with soon-to-open arcade bar

Brad Van and Chris Welch are opening Aftershock Classic Arcade, an arcade bar and family entertainment center, on Dec. 1.

Brad Van and Chris Welch are taking their gaming expertise to Aftershock Classic Arcade, a vintage arcade bar and family entertainment center, set to open on Dec. 1.

Alex Bledsoe sitting In a Forest

Author Alex Bledsoe’s Southern roots influence every aspect of his storytelling

Alex Bledsoe is slated to soon release "Dandelion," the first book in four years from the prolific author of 13 other published novels and more than 50 short stories.

Alex Bledsoe is slated to soon release "Dandelion," the first book in four years from the prolific author of 13 other published novels and more than 50 short stories.

Becca Hamilton and Nina Roth in the process of curling

Two McFarland curlers aim for their second shot at the Winter Olympics

Becca Hamilton and Nina Roth — both represented Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea — are hoping to become two-time Olympians if all goes well in Omaha this month.

Becca Hamilton and Nina Roth — both represented Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea — are hoping to become two-time Olympians if all goes well in Omaha this month.